Latest news with #BSR
BBC News
7 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Luton's £136m stage project delayed by building safety regulator
A £136m town centre regeneration project has been delayed by a building safety regulator as the plans did not meet the required Stage flagship mixed-use development in Luton is due to be built on the site of the former Bute Street railway station - which was replaced by a bus station and later demolished in Building Safety Regulator (BSR) said there had been several applications "one of which was rejected as it failed to demonstrate that the buildings, if constructed as designed, would meet legal requirements".Luton Borough Council said it was committed to ensuring "our application for the Stage development fully meets the required standards". A spokesperson for the Health and Safety Executive, the umbrella organisation for BSR, said: "The building control processes introduced following the Grenfell Tower tragedy are a vital safeguard, aimed at raising fire and structural safety standards across the built environment."They added that detailed plans submitted by the applicant for the Stage development around fire and emergency safety matters were not adequate or clear and there were a number of concerns over structural issues.A spokesperson for Luton Borough Council said: "We have consistently provided comprehensive information to support our application, responded promptly to any requests for clarification, and made adjustments where required."The development, which is underpinned by £20m of levelling up funding, includes flats, a multi-purpose performance and community area, a food court and commercial space, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Luton Borough Council's director of property and infrastructure Roger Kirk told the scrutiny finance review group on Tuesday that the delay in approving the project was costing the authority £100,000 a said the application was submitted in July 2024 and the council's "best guess at present is that the negative impact, in terms of the capital project, is less than £1m."He said the regulator had requested a third extension until July 11 and added he was confident of a positive outcome.A spokesperson for the authority said: "We appreciate the pressures faced by the BSR as a newly established regulator and remain committed to working constructively with them to ensure our application fully meets the new standards." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Cision Canada
03-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
BSR REIT Provides Second Quarter 2025 Operational Update
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. and TORONTO, June 3, 2025 /CNW/ - BSR Real Estate Investment Trust ("BSR" and "the REIT") (TSX: HOM.U) (TSX: has provided a leasing update in advance of its participation in Nareit's REITweek 2025 Investor Conference. BSR has also published an updated investor presentation to its website. As of May 31, 2025, BSR's Same Community (defined below) weighted average occupancy was 95.7%. Excluding short term leases, during Q2 2025 to-date, Same Community rental rates for new leases and renewals decreased 4.5% and increased 1.7%, respectively, for a blended decrease of 0.9%. Excluding short term leases, for May 2025 Same Community rental rates for new leases and renewals decreased 3.7% and increased 2.1%, respectively, for a blended decrease of 0.3%. This performance is consistent with the REIT's stated view that the unprecedented levels of new supply are being effectively absorbed, which will lead to continued improvement in leasing spreads. The following table highlights key information about the properties as of May 31, 2025, organized by MSA for Same Community, which excludes recent property acquisitions and dispositions as well as any non-stabilized properties. The rental growth rates shown for April and May 2025 are calculated as the average percentage change over the prior lease for new or renewed leases during the period, excluding short term leases. "Same Community" results are used by management to evaluate performances of investment properties owned by the REIT during comparative periods. Same Community results herein exclude the impact of Venue Craig Ranch, Forayna Vintage Park and Botanic Luxury which were acquired in 2025 and further exclude Aura 35Fifty which completed development in December 2024 and remains non-stabilized during the current period due to lease-up. Same Community results also exclude the impact of Bluff Creek, Cielo I, Cielo II, Retreat at Wolf Ranch, Auberry at Twin Creeks, Satori Frisco, Vale Frisco, Aura Benbrook, Lakeway Castle Hills and Wimberly which were disposed in 2025. About BSR Real Estate Investment Trust BSR Real Estate Investment Trust is an internally managed, unincorporated, open-ended real estate investment trust established pursuant to a declaration of trust under the laws of the Province of Ontario. The REIT owns a portfolio of multifamily garden-style residential properties located in attractive primary markets in the Sunbelt region of the United States. Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain forward-looking statements (within the meaning of applicable securities laws) relating to the business of the REIT. Forward-looking statements are identified by words such as "believe", "anticipate", "project", "expect", "intend", "plan", "will", "may", "estimate" and other similar expressions. These statements are based on the REIT's expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections and include, without limitation, statements regarding the intended monthly distributions of the REIT. The forward-looking statements in this news release are based on certain assumptions including, without limitation, that the REIT will have sufficient cash to pay its distributions. They are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to control or predict. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the REIT's Q1 2025 Management's Discussion & Analysis dated May 7, 2025 which is available at There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate as actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Readers, therefore, should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Further, these forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, except as expressly required by applicable law, the REIT assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. SOURCE BSR Real Estate Investment Trust
Business Recorder
26-05-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
CM Maryam launches ‘Insulin Card' for children with diabetes
LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has launched a unique program titled 'CM Insulin for Diabetes' for young children suffering from Type-I congenital diabetes. The CM along with Pakistan Post riders reached the residences of young children to hand over insulin cards. She went to the house of Wasay Adnan, resident of Sabzazar Q-Block and handed over an insulin card. She also went to Jamil Town and gave 'CM Insulin Card' to Zainab Waheed and Zain Shahzad. The Chief Minister also handed over insulin, glucometer BSR strips and a box of needles to Wasay, Zainab and Zain. She hugged young Wasay Adnan's grandmother and also greeted other family members. She showed affection to young patient Wasay Adnan. The youngest of the three siblings Wasay is suffering from diabetes by birth. She also promised to send five-year-old Wasay Adnan a car. She also conversed with Zainab Waheed and expressed her affection to her. The Chief Minister also directed to ensure Zain Shahzad's eye check-up and treatment. On the arrival of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, a huge crowd gathered on the rooftops and streets. On her arrival, little girls showered flower petals on her and warmly welcomed her. She also took selfies with the girls at their request. Elderly women prayed for the well-being and success of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. She while talking to the family members said that she feels more concerned and worried about their children's health. The CM added, 'I can understand the pain and anxiety of children suffering from diabetes. Free insulin program for young children has been launched on the genuine demand of poor parents and dire need of children. Under the 'Sehatmand Punjab' vision, the government will reach out to every child who cannot afford to buy medicine or insulin.' She highlighted, 'Children's health is of foremost importance for the Punjab government. For the first time, children are being provided with glucometers and test strips along with insulin. Children are the bright future of the nation and all resources are being placed at their disposal. The rapid spread of diabetes among children is a matter of grave concern.' The Chief Minister was informed in a briefing about the insulin card program in which during the first phase, 1500 children will be provided insulin at their doorsteps under free insulin program. Riders of Pakistan Post will verify the insulin card by scanning on a special app. After undergoing scanning process of CM insulin card, insulin will be handed over to the patients. It was further apprised in the briefing that under the Cold Chain System of Pakistan Post, riders of Pakistan Post will go door to door and provide insulin required for three months to the children suffering from type-I diabetes. They will have to go to the hospital for quarterly check-ups. Children suffering from type-I diabetes can register at the NCD Clinic, Maryam Nawaz Health Clinic or on the Healthline app 1033. Quarterly follow-up check-ups at the district or sub-district headquarters have been made mandatory for children suffering from type-I diabetes. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Medscape
21-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Rheumatology Guideline Updates Take New Life Course Approach
MANCHESTER, England — The latest guidelines on systemic sclerosis (SSc), axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) from the British Society for Rheumatology (BSR) have been updated and, where appropriate, now consider the full life course of these rheumatologic diseases, experts said at BSR 2025 Annual Meeting. BSR Clinical Guidelines Program Manager Lindsay Turner told Medscape Medical News that the approach was 'really valuable because often it's hard to get evidence in a pediatric population. The updates now mean that recommendations relevant to that population are included.' BSR guidelines are generally updated every 5 years, unless evidence becomes available that warrants a 'mini update,' Turner said. But that time schedule can get stretched out over longer periods, as occurred with the SSc guideline update, as Christopher Denton, MBChB, PhD, professor of experimental rheumatology at UCL Medical School in London, England, told Medscape Medical News . 'Obviously, COVID got in the way for 2 years,' he said. 'And of course, the process itself takes at least 2 years. So I think inevitably that even if you start to do the update, it's going to be about 7-8 years.' SSc Guideline Highlights Denton, who is also head of the Centre for Rheumatology at the Royal Free Hospital, London, England, presented highlights only of the updated SSc guideline at the conference because these have already been published. Christopher Denton, MBChB, PhD One of the key recommendations he highlighted is to use nailfold capillaroscopy during the diagnosis of SSc, as this is as important as antinuclear antibody testing, taking the history, and a physical examination. Moreover, all patients diagnosed with SSc should have a baseline assessment done regardless of what treatment plan is being considered and that should include bloodwork, ECGs, echocardiograms, pulmonary function tests, and a high-resolution CT (HRCT). Discussing the HRCT recommendation, Denton said: 'I think it does reflect the importance of knowing as early as possible whether there is interstitial lung disease present and also to help you follow patients noninvasively over time.' Another 'cornerstone' of the updated guidance is being vigilant and looking out for potential complications, such as malignancy. As for treatment, 'the general recommendation, or preference, was that mycophenolate mofetil is the drug that seems to be the most effective for diffuse cutaneous disease and for interstitial lung disease and limited skin involvement,' Denton said. The guideline also tries to make it clear when autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) may or may not be suitable based on current evidence and states that this approach must be delivered within an experienced specialized center. As such, the recommendation is that AHSCT may be considered an option for diffuse cutaneous SSc, where the benefit is felt to outweigh any risks. However, if there is severe internal organ disease, then this approach may not be appropriate and careful evaluation is required. Also, while AHSCT may be considered an option for children and young people who have severe or refractory disease, regardless of whether they have diffuse cutaneous or limited disease, it is not for adults who have later-stage diffuse cutaneous or limited disease because there is not enough evidence currently to support its use, Denton said. AxSpA Guideline Highlights As for the updated axSpA guideline on management using biologic and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, Sizheng Steven Zhao, MBChB, PhD, clinical senior lecturer and honorary consultant in rheumatology at The University of Manchester, Manchester, England, said there were three key points. Sizheng Steven Zhao, MBChB, PhD First, be open to re-evaluating the diagnosis, Zhao said: 'Getting the diagnosis right can be challenging. Be humble. Be open with your patients about the uncertainty around diagnosis and be willing to revisit that. Re-look at the [MRI] images if treatment response doesn't make sense.' Second, 'start recording the ASDAS [Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score],' Zhao said, in addition to recording disease activity using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI). Recording the BASDAI is a requirement of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, but using ASDAS is 'where the future is. That's where we're moving toward,' Zhao said. He indicated that this should not be too difficult to incorporate into routine practice given that rheumatologists are already using scores such as the DAS in 28 joints for rheumatoid arthritis. Third, do not rule out using certain drug classes. 'Although we're blessed with three classes of drug, we only still have three classes of drug for a condition that needs many decades of treatment. Don't reflexively rule out a mechanism of action,' Zhao said. Specifically, he mentioned not ruling out the use of interleukin 17 inhibitors in a patient who had uveitis or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Work with ophthalmologists and gastroenterologists on a case-by-case basis to see if that drug class could still be suitable, Zhao said. Three overarching principles have been added to the guidance, which consider the goals for treatment, shared care decision-making, and the need for a multidisciplinary approach. Zhao urged his audience to read these and the full guideline, which was published in April. There were 'a lot of nuances,' put into the writing of overarching principles and the 15 recommendations, he said. The recommendations have been grouped into three broad areas: General, which covers starting, monitoring, and switching treatments; extra-musculoskeletal manifestations (EMMs), which includes uveitis, psoriasis, and IBD; and treatment strategy, which encompasses the treat-to-target approach, tapering, and treatment withdrawal. The BSR guideline is unique in its discussion of EMMs, Zhao said. This is not done in the American or European guidelines to the same extent: 'We spent that much time thinking about this because, quite frankly, all the therapies have similar efficacy across musculoskeletal features. It is the EMMs that influence which one we choose.' Zhao emphasized that physical therapy was not to be ignored and that pharmacologic treatments were there to 'enable our patients to continue physical activity, not instead of physical therapy.' SLE Guideline Highlights The updated BSR guideline for the management and treatment of SLE is just a few weeks away from publication, said Md Yuzaiful Md Yusof, MBChB, PhD, consultant rheumatologist and senior research fellow at the University of Leeds and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, both in Leeds, England. Md Yuzaiful Md Yusof, MBChB, PhD The updated guideline covers a much broader scope than its previous iteration, as it now includes recommendations for the management of children and adolescents, as well as adults. Literature searches were done from inception rather than from where the last guideline left off, 'particularly for the pediatric field,' Md Yusof said. Detailed guidance on the management of lupus nephritis has been included, and other new features of the guideline were the inclusion of cutaneous lupus, nonpharmacologic care, and the delivery of care, Md Yusof said. Of course, he added, 'we can't do it all,' and areas not covered were neonatal lupus, contraception and reproductive health, treatment during pregnancy and breastfeeding, complications and comorbidities, and detailed management of thrombosis and antiphospholipid syndrome. However, other national guidelines should already cover these topics. The guideline included 102 recommendations. 'I know it sounds a bit alarming, but they're quite logical and self-explanatory,' Md Yusof said. Overall, 96 of these are shown in a single infographic which is intended to act as a 'cheat code,' he added. The recommendations concern diagnosis, assessment and monitoring, management, and the delivery of care. In terms of diagnosis, timing is key, Md Yusof said. When primary care physicians have a strong suspicion of SLE, they should be looking to refer to secondary or tertiary care within 3 weeks, he said. Treat-to-target is one of the key recommendations regarding assessment and monitoring. The primary treatment goal is to meet the 2021 Definition of Remission in SLE criteria, Md Yusof said. And if that is not possible, the target should be to reach the Lupus Low Disease Activity State. As for management, there is guidance on what rheumatologists could prescribe for cutaneous disease without consulting a dermatologist, such as non-facial topical glucocorticoids and non-facial topical calcineurin inhibitors. The of use of the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG)-2004 index and SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 to guide management choices was recommended, with the addition of Easy-BILAG, Md Yusof said. 'We recommend all people with mild lupus to be on hydroxychloroquine at a dose of 5 mg/kg of actual body weight per day,' he said. Glucocorticoids could be used as bridging therapy to settle disease flare but not for routine long-term maintenance. For moderate to severe disease activity, methotrexate or immunosuppression with mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine, cyclosporin, or tacrolimus is recommended to be started early if there is no organ- or life-threatening disease. Biologics and trials are then advocated for more moderate to severe disease, where there is no renal involvement or if glucocorticoids could not be withdrawn. Trials, belimumab, rituximab, or anifrolumab are recommended for more severe disease activity. Regarding lupus nephritis, all patients should be managed jointly between rheumatology and renal services. 'Timely biopsy is really key, and also identifying poor prognostic markers from the outset,' Md Yusof said. A key message regarding glucocorticoid use is to put an end date on the prescription and 'to make sure you have a tapering plan.' Detailed advice is provided in the guideline on how to taper appropriately. The recommendation on induction treatment for lupus nephritis is the most up-to-date available, with combination therapy recommended over single-agent mycophenolate mofetil. 'Whichever combination that you use for remission induction, you carry on for the maintenance,' Md Yusof added. He concluded that the British guidelines were 'definitely more directive and also more up-to-date' than other available guidelines. Turner reported having no relevant financial relationships. Denton reported receiving research and grant funding and consultancy and speaker fees from or acting as a clinical trial investigator and serving on a steering committee for more than 20 companies. Zhao reported receiving consultancy or speaker fees from AbbVie, Alfasigma, Novartis, and UCB. He also acknowledged receiving financial support for attending conferences from Alfasigma, Eli Lilly & Company, Novartis, and UCB. Md Yusof reported acting as an advisory board member, consultant, or speaker for Alumis, Aurinia, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Roche, UCB, and Vifor.
Cision Canada
15-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
BSR REIT ANNOUNCES puchase of two Houston COMMUNITIEs for $141 million
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. and TORONTO, May 15, 2025 /CNW/ - BSR Real Estate Investment Trust ("BSR" or the "REIT") (TSX: HOM.U) (TSX: announced today that it has purchased two recently constructed communities, Forayna Vintage Park and Botanic Luxury, each located in the Houston, Texas MSA for $141 million. "We have wasted no time finding two high-quality assets that complement our portfolio, enhance the REIT's growth profile, and allow us to accretively redeploy a portion of the proceeds from our recent sale of nine stabilized properties," stated Dan Oberste, BSR's Chief Executive Officer. "Forayna Vintage Park and Botanic Luxury are both well positioned to benefit from the BSR operating platform and drive growth for our unitholders. By adding these communities, we have quickly executed on a significant portion of the strategy we presented to the market in the first quarter of the year." Forayna Vintage Park Apartments ("Forayna"), constructed in 2023, comprises 350 apartment units, including one, two, and three-bedroom suites. Amenities include a saltwater pool with sun shelves, cabanas, grilling stations, movie theater, two-story fitness center, cyber lounge, golf simulator and pet spa. Located in the Vintage Park development of Northwest Houston, Forayna is located next to dining, shopping, entertainment, and outdoor recreational options, with quick and convenient access to the Grand Parkway. Botanic Luxury Apartments ("Botanic") is located in Spring, Texas and also completed construction in 2023. Botanic comprises 288 apartment units including one, two, and three-bedroom suites. Amenities include a salt-water pool with sun shelf, cabana porch, grilling stations, modern clubhouse, game areas, two-story fitness center, yoga room, cyber lounge, conference room, movie theater and pet spa. Botanic is well situated near several schools and employers, including Spring ISD, Lone Star College, ExxonMobil Headquarters, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and Amazon, with quick access to Grand Parkway, and North Freeway/I-45. With the closing of Forayna Vintage Park and Botanic Luxury, BSR now owns 25 properties consisting of 6,802 apartment units. About BSR Real Estate Investment Trust BSR Real Estate Investment Trust is an internally managed, unincorporated, open-ended real estate investment trust established pursuant to a declaration of trust under the laws of the Province of Ontario. The REIT owns a portfolio of multifamily garden-style residential properties located in attractive primary markets in the Sunbelt region of the United States. Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain forward-looking statements (within the meaning of applicable securities laws) relating to the business of the REIT. Forward-looking statements are identified by words such as "believe", "anticipate", "project", "expect", "intend", "plan", "will", "may", "estimate" and other similar expressions. These statements are based on the REIT's expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections and include, without limitation, statements regarding the intended monthly distributions of the REIT. The forward-looking statements in this news release are based on certain assumptions including, without limitation, that the REIT will have sufficient cash to pay its distributions. They are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to control or predict. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the REIT's Q1 2025 Management's Discussion & Analysis dated May 7, 2025 which is available at There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate as actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Readers, therefore, should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Further, these forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, except as expressly required by applicable law, the REIT assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
